Puslinch approves 2024 budget with 4.1 per cent tax hike

PUSLINCH – The township has officially approved a 4.1 per cent tax levy increase in its 2024 budget.

This is equivalent to a $46 tax levy increase for a median single-family home. 

As the county's budget was finalized at 4.6 per cent last month. The blended increase will see a total increase of $233 for a median single-family home. 

"I think we're doing a good job in terms of riding the waves and crests associated with the cost of living over the past few years," said Coun. John Sepulis, during the meeting. 

Council also discussed increasing the proposed levy to 4.67 per cent during the meeting so they could add $30,000 to the township's asset management discretionary reserve.

However, they decided to have staff bring back a report looking preemptively at adding 0.5 per cent to the reserve in the 2025 budget instead. 

Staff previously recommended tax increases of 4.89 per cent and 3.78 per cent in 2024. 

In 2023, the township saw a 4.5 per cent tax levy increase.

Coun. Jessica Goyda did not attend the meeting.  

Isabel Buckmaster is the Local Journalism Initiative reporter for GuelphToday. LJI is a federally-funded program.